Affordable web-based foot-ankle exercise program proves effective for diabetic foot care in a randomized controlled trial with economic evaluation.

The aim of this study was to shed light on a crucial issue through a comprehensive evaluation of the cost-effectiveness and cost-utility of a cutting-edge web-based foot-ankle therapeutic exercise program (SOPeD) designed for treating modifiable risk factors for ulcer prevention in individuals with diabetes-related peripheral neuropathy (DPN). In this randomized controlled trial, 62 participants diagnosed with DPN were assigned to the SOPeD software or received usual care for diabetic foot. Primary outcomes were DPN symptoms and severity, foot pain and function, and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). Between-group comparisons provided 95% confidence intervals. The study also calculated incremental cost-effectiveness and cost-utility ratios (ICERs), analyzed direct costs from a healthcare perspective, and performed a sensitivity analysis to assess uncertainty. The web-based intervention effectively reduced foot pain, improved foot function and showed favorable cost-effectiveness, with ICERs ranging from (USD) $5.37-$148.71 per improvement in different outcomes. There is a high likelihood of cost-effectiveness for improving DPN symptoms and severity, foot pain, and function, even when the minimum willingness-to-pay threshold was set at $1000.00 USD. However, the intervention did not prove to be cost-effective in terms of QALYs. This study reveals SOPeD's effectiveness in reducing foot pain, improving foot function, and demonstrating cost-effectiveness in enhancing functional and clinical outcomes. SOPeD stands as a potential game-changer for modifiable risk factors for ulcers, with our findings indicating a feasible and balanced integration into public health systems. Further studies and considerations are vital for informed decisions to stakeholders and the successful implementation of this preventive program on a larger scale.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04011267. Registered on 8 July 2019.

A cross-country assessment of conspiracy beliefs, trust in institutions, and attitudes towards the Covid-19 vaccination.

Conspiracy beliefs have spread during the Covid-19 pandemic. It is important to understand them because of their potential to undermine trust in societal institutions and willingness to get vaccined. In the present research (N = 538), we assessed the links between conspiracy beliefs, trust in institutions (e.g., government, WHO), and attitudes towards the Covid-19 vaccination across the USA, Brazil and the UK. A moderated mediation analysis revealed the crucial role of political leaders in linking conspiracy beliefs with vaccination attitudes. Trust in the president was positively associated with conspiracy beliefs in Brazil because of its conspiracist president at the time (Bolsonaro), which in turn was negatively associated with vaccination attitudes. In contrast, trust in political leaders at the time in the UK (Johnson) and the USA (Biden) was negatively associated with conspiracy beliefs. In conclusion, our findings contribute to understanding the underlying mechanisms that link conspiracy beliefs with trust and vaccination attitudes.

Potential predictive effect of mechanical properties of the plantar skin and superficial soft tissue, and vibration perception on plantar loading during gait in individuals with diabetes.

BACKGROUND: This exploratory study aimed to investigate the extent to which mechanical properties of the plantar skin and superficial soft tissue (hardness, stiffness, and thickness) and vibration perception thresholds (VPTs) predict plantar pressure loading during gait in people with diabetes compared to healthy controls. METHODS: Mechanical properties, VPTs, and plantar loadings during gait at the heel and first metatarsal head (MTH) of 20 subjects with diabetes, 13 with DPN, and 33 healthy controls were acquired. Multiple regression analyses were used to predict plantar pressure peaks and pressure-time integrals at both locations based on the mechanical properties of the skin and superficial soft tissues and VPTs. RESULTS: In the diabetes group at the MTH, skin hardness associated with 30-Hz (R2 = 0.343) and 200-Hz (R2 = 0.314) VPTs predicted peak pressure at the forefoot. In the controls at the heel, peak pressure was predicted by the skin thickness, hardness, and stiffness associated with 30-Hz (R2 = 0.269, 0.268, and 0.267, respectively) and 200-Hz (R2 = 0.214, 0.247, and 0.265, respectively) VPTs. CONCLUSION: The forefoot loading of people with diabetes can be predicted by the hardness of the skin when combined with loss of vibration perception at low (30-Hz) and high (200-Hz) frequencies. Further data from larger sample sizes are needed to confirm the current findings.

Effects of foot-ankle exercises on foot-ankle kinematics, plantar pressure, and gait kinetics in people with diabetic neuropathy: Secondary outcomes from a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Follow-up report of secondary outcomes of a randomized, single-blinded, parallel controlled trial that investigated the benefits of a foot-ankle therapeutic exercise program on foot-ankle kinematics, plantar pressure, and lower limb kinetics during gait in individuals with diabetic neuropathy (DPN). METHODS: Sixty-six participants with DPN were randomly allocated into a control group (CG; n = 31), which received usual care, and an intervention group (IG; n = 35), which received usual care plus a 12-week group-based foot-ankle exercise program. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and 12 weeks by an assessor blinded to group allocation. RESULTS: The generalized linear mixed model and intention-to-treat analysis revealed a greater hip extensor moment at push-off and greater hallux contact area in the IG than CG after 12 weeks. A within-group analysis revealed a larger arch height during stance and higher peak pressure and pressure-time integral at the central forefoot region in the IG after 12 weeks compared to baseline. There were no other significant group difference or changes over time in foot-ankle kinematics or in any other joint moment related to overall lower limb biomechanics. CONCLUSION: The increases in hip moment at push-off and hallux surface contact area suggest an improvement in the propulsion phase with greater participation of the toes in foot rollover after 12 weeks of a group-based foot-ankle exercises program for people with DPN. Individual face-to-face, longer-term, and more intensive interventions may be needed to positively influence foot-ankle biomechanics and pressure parameters in other plantar areas.

Do left-wingers discriminate? A cross-country study on the links between political orientation, values, moral foundations, and the Covid-19 passport.

To increase Covid-19 vaccine uptake and protect vulnerable people, many countries have introduced a Covid-19 passport in 2021, allowing vaccinated individuals to access indoor facilities more freely and travel to foreign countries. However, the passport has had unintended consequences as it discriminates against those who do not want to get vaccinated for medical, religious, or political reasons, or those who do not have access to vaccines. The present study (N = 678) assessed across Brazil, UK, USA, and a group of other countries, the links between political orientation, human values, and moral foundations, and attitudes towards the Covid-19 passport and whether people perceive it as a discriminatory measure. Results showed that left-wingers, typically more inclined to recognize discrimination, favor the passport more and perceive it as less discriminatory than right-wingers. This pattern remains consistent even after controlling for human values and moral foundations, independently predicting attitudes towards the passport. Overall, our findings provide novel insights into a context in which left-wingers support measures that involuntarily discriminate against certain groups. Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12144-023-04554-9.

Psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the fear of COVID-19 scale (FCV-19S).

COVID-19 can bring several psychological problems to patients and non-patients, which highlights the need for a better understanding of outcomes that can emerge due the occurrence of the virus. One of these variables is fear, present in situations of continuous uncertainty. Fear is a key variable for mental health and tracking it and its correlates might help to develop proper education and prevention programs. Currently, Brazil is one of the epicentres of the COVID-19 pandemic, with its public health system scrapped and not being able to contain the amount of infected people. Therefore, a proper measure to screen the fear of COVID-19 will help to provide improvements in mental health in such contexts. For that, two studies were performed. In Study 1 (N = 230) we assessed the factorial structure of the measure through exploratory factor analysis, and item parameters using item response theory. In Study 2 (N = 302), we assessed whether the structure would replicate in an independent sample and through confirmatory factor analysis, besides assessing convergent validity using Structural Equation Modelling and proposing a shorter version of the measure. Both long and short versions presented a reliable unidimensional structure and similar patterns of correlations with depression, anxiety, and stress. Overall, our results showed that the FCV-19S and its short version are useful measures to the assessment of fear of COVID-19 in Brazil.

Could an Internet-Based Foot-Ankle Therapeutic Exercise Program Modify Clinical Outcomes and Gait Biomechanics in People with Diabetic Neuropathy? A Clinical Proof-of-Concept Study.

Previous studies have shown the efficacy of foot-ankle exercises in people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), but the quality of evidence is still low. This proof-of-concept study pursues preliminary evidence for potential clinical and gait biomechanical benefits from an internet-based foot-ankle therapeutic exercise program for people with DPN. We randomized 30 individuals with DPN (IWGDF risk category 1 or 2) into either the control group (CG) receiving the usual care or the intervention group (IG) receiving the usual care plus an internet-based foot-ankle exercise program, fully guided by the Sistema de Orientação ao Pé Diabético (SOPeD; translation: Diabetic Foot Guidance System) three times per week for 12 weeks. We assessed face-to-face clinical and biomechanical outcomes at baseline, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks (follow up). Participants had good adherence to the proposed intervention and it led to only mild adverse events. The IG showed improvements in the ankle and first metatarsophalangeal joint motion after 12 and 24 weeks, changed forefoot load absorption during foot rollover during gait after 24 weeks, reduced foot pain after 12 weeks, and improved foot function after 24 weeks. A 12-week internet-based foot-ankle exercise program using the SOPeD software (version 1.0) has the potential to reduce foot pain, improve foot function, and modify some important foot-ankle kinematic outcomes in people with DPN.

Ciúme romântico: Analisando o papel preditor dos Cinco Grandes Fatores e da Tríade Sombria da Personalidade / Romantic jealousy: Analysing the predictive role of Big Five and Dark Triad of Personality

O presente estudo objetivou explorar as relações entre os Cinco Grandes Fatores (CGF), a Tríade Sombria da Personalidade (TSP) e as diferentes dimensões que compõem o ciúme romântico. Participaram deste estudo 283 pessoas, com idades variando entre 18 a 58 anos (Midade = 25,04; DPidade = 7,64; 70,9% mulheres). Estes responderam instrumentos que avaliavam os CGF (Ten-Item Personality Inventory) e a TSP (Dirty Dozen) e as diversas dimensões do ciúme romântico (i.e., cognitivo, emocional e comportamental; Multidimensional Jealousy Scale), assim como questões sociodemográficas e interpessoais. No geral, verificou-se que a base de personalidade do ciúme romântico é formada pela confluência de altos escores em neuroticismo e narcisismo. Tais relações são consistentes, mesmo controlando o efeito de covariáveis (e.g., sexo, satisfação com o relacionamento). Os resultados podem ensejar futuras pesquisas que objetivem traçar um perfil psicológico de pessoas que podem apresentar níveis mais intensos e perigosos do ciúme romântico, possibilitando implementar estratégias interventivas para reduzir tais respostas desadaptativas.

This study aimed to explore the association between the Five-factor Model (FFM), the Dark Triad of Personality (DTP), and the different dimensions that make up romantic jealousy. Two-hundred and eighty-three people participated in this study, with ages varying from 18 to 58 years old (Mage = 25.04; SDage = 7.64; 70.9% women). Participants responded to instruments that evaluated the FFM (Ten-Item Personality Inventory), the DTP (Dirty Dozen) and the different dimensions of romantic jealousy (i.e., cognitive, emotional and behavioural; Multidimensional Jealousy Scale), as well as sociodemographic and interpersonal questions. Overall, we found that the personality basis of romantic jealousy is formed by the confluence of high scores on neuroticism and narcissism. Such relationships are consistent, even controlling for the effect of covariates (e.g., sex, satisfaction with the relationship). The results may stimulate future research that aims to describe the psychological profile of those who present more intense and dangerous variations of romantic jealousy, which may facilitate intervention strategies to reduce such maladaptive responses.

Attitudes Towards Food Allergy Scale: Psychometric properties and associations with food allergy quality of life and anxiety.

BACKGROUND: Daily, we tend to evaluate things positively or negatively, according to whether they follow the general information available about them. This attitudinal assessment is represented through evaluative dimensions (e.g., good-bad) that vary in terms of valence (positive or negative) and strength (less or more). Despite its importance, there is an urge in food allergy (FA) research to properly assess attitudes based on the underlying mechanisms that define attitudes. OBJECTIVE: The present research aimed to develop the Attitudes Towards Food Allergy scale (ATFAS), the first attitudinal measure of FA. METHOD: Two studies were performed (n = 1049), using a range of robust statistical analyses (e.g., Item Response Theory, Exploratory Factor Analysis, Confirmatory Factor Analysis). RESULTS: Our results provided strong evidence for a unidimensional attitudinal structure, across groups of non-allergic individuals and food-allergic, besides recommended reliability levels. All items presented suitable parameters (i.e., discrimination, difficulty, information). Finally, the ATFAS significantly predicted FA quality of life, mediated by FA anxiety. CONCLUSION: We are confident that the ATFAS is a novel and necessary measure, that can help to widen how we view and assess FA. The development of studies that assess attitudes towards FA based on our general information about the disorder would help to deepen our understanding of their links to other health-related variables and their potential impact on quality of life, reduce FA's stigma, and develop more positive attitudes.

The MOVIE model: Assessing movie preferences and personality correlates / O modelo MOVIE: Avaliando a preferência por filmes e os correlatos com personalidade / El modelo MOVIE: Evaluando la preferencia por películas y los correlatos con la personalidade

Watching movies is a common fun form, generating billions of dollars annually. However, few studies explored individual differences that predict movie preferences, even considering that they reflect some personality features. One of the main limitations in the area is the lack of measures and models that operationalize the structure of movie preferences. Thus, in the present study, we proposed and tested a five-factor measure to assess movie preferences: the MOVIE (Melodrama, cOmic, Violent, Imaginative, and Exciting) model. The structure presented acceptable psychometric parameters besides meaningful associations with personality traits. These results, even with low magnitudes, show that the process of choosing a movie or content may reflect specific personality traits and reinforce the role that personality can play in the real world.

Assistir a filmes é uma forma comum de diversão, gerando bilhões de dólares por ano a indústria do cinema. No entanto, poucos estudos exploraram as diferenças individuais que predizem as preferências por filmes, mesmo considerando que estas refletem algumas características da personalidade. Uma das principais limitações da área é a falta de medidas e modelos que operacionalizem a estrutura de preferências cinematográficas. Assim, no presente estudo, propusemos e testamos uma medida de cinco fatores para avaliar as preferências de filmes: o modelo MOVIE (Melodrama, cOmic, Violent, Imaginative e Exciting). Tal estrutura apresentou parâmetros psicométricos aceitáveis, além de associações significativas com traços de personalidade. Esses resultados, mesmo com magnitudes baixas, mostram que o processo de escolha de um filme ou conteúdo pode refletir traços específicos de personalidade e reforçar o papel que a personalidade pode desempenhar no mundo real.

Ver películas es una forma común de diversión que genera millones de dólares al año. Sin embargo, pocos estudios están considerando las diferencias individuales que predicen las preferencias cinematográficas, incluso si reflejan algunos rasgos de personalidad. Una de las principales limitaciones en el área es la falta de medidas y modelos que operacionalicen la estructura de las preferencias cinematográficas. Por lo tanto, en el presente estudio, propusimos y probamos una medida de cinco factores para evaluar las preferencias cinematográficas: el modelo MOVIE (Melodrama, cOmic, Violent, Imaginative, and Exciting). Dicha estructura presentó parámetros psicométricos aceptables, además de asociaciones significativas con los rasgos de personalidad. Estos resultados, incluso con magnitudes bajas, muestran que el proceso de elección de una película o contenido puede reflejar rasgos de personalidad específicos y reforzar el papel que la personalidad puede desempeñar en el mundo real.

Foot-ankle therapeutic exercise program can improve gait speed in people with diabetic neuropathy: a randomized controlled trial.

This study sought to determine whether a foot-ankle therapeutic exercise program can improve daily physical activity (i.e. number of steps) and fast and self-selected gait speed in people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). In this single-blind randomized controlled trial and intention-to-treat analysis, 78 volunteers with DPN were allocated into a control group, which received usual care, and an intervention group (IG), which received usual care plus a 12-week foot-ankle exercise program. The adherence at 12 weeks rate in the IG was 92.3% (36 participants) and the dropout was 5.1% in the control group (2 participants). The number of steps and self-selected gait speed did not change significantly in either group (p > 0.05), although a 1,365-step difference between groups were observed at 1-year followup. The 12-week foot-ankle therapeutic exercises improved significantly fast-gait speed (primary outcome) (p = 0.020), ankle range of motion (p = 0.048), and vibration perception (secondary outcomes) (p = 0.030), compared with usual-care at 12 weeks. At 24 weeks, the IG showed better quality of life than controls (p = 0.048). At 1-year, fast-gait speed and vibration perception remained higher in the IG versus controls. Overall, the program may be a complementary treatment strategy for improving musculoskeletal and functional deficits related to DPN.Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02790931 (06/06/2016).

The dark side of Brazil: Effects of dark traits on general COVID-19 worry and responses against the pandemic.

Brazil is one of the epicenters of the COVID-19 pandemic (i.e., 563,470 deaths until August 9th, 2021). Since the Brazilian government is partly struggling and partly unwilling to control the pandemic, staying healthy falls almost exclusively to the population. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the predictive role of personality traits to explain the willingness to combat the COVID-19 virus. In the present study (N = 496), we investigated the Dark Pentad traits: Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy, sadism, and spitefulness. Our findings revealed that the first four traits were consistently negatively associated with various measures that indicate whether the pandemic is taken seriously, such as the perceived severity of COVID-19 and intentions to act against COVID-19. Structural equation modeling further showed that general COVID-19 worry mediated the link between the Dark Pentad and adaptive and maladaptive responses. Our results indicate that all dark traits are associated with unsocial behaviors, but their relative importance varies depending on the outcome variable.

Psychometric properties of the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS) in Brazil.

We aimed to adapt the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS) in Brazil, using a range of statistical techniques (e.g., factor analysis, item response theory). Two studies were conducted (Ntotal = 512). The unidimensional structure presented a good model fit and reliability, significant convergent validity, and all items presenting very high discrimination levels, adequately assessing medium and high anxiety levels. We also gathered evidence on cutoff points for detecting anxiety symptoms, reinforcing the diagnostic feasibility (for screening) of the CAS. Our findings emphasize the CAS as useful for rapid assessment and research involving COVID-19 and mental health markers.

Diferenças de sexo no endosso de valores humanos: o papel mediador da ganância / Sex differences in the endorsement of human values: the mediating effect of greed / Diferencias sexuales en lo respaldo de los valores humanos: el efecto mediador de la codicia

No Brasil, inexistem investigações dos correlatos psicológicos e sociodemográficos da ganância. Este estudo investigou a relação entre a ganância e os valores humanos. Ainda, testou-se o efeito mediador da ganância na diferença entre sexos no endosso dos valores humanos. Os participantes responderam a Dispositional Greed Scale, o Questionário dos Valores Básicos e perguntas demográficas. Os correlatos valorativos indicaram que pessoas gananciosas, embora materialmente motivadas (valores de existência), possuem necessidades estéticas (valores suprapessoais). Entretanto, a ganância predisse em maior magnitude os valores pessoais. Houve diferenças entre os sexos apenas frente à ganância e aos valores pessoais, sendo que os homens apresentaram maiores pontuações. Por fim, observou-se que a ganância mediou parcialmente a diferença entre sexos no endosso de valores pessoais, sugerindo que homens são mais egocêntricos porque são mais gananciosos. Tais achados são discutidos à luz da Teoria Funcionalista dos Valores Humanos, da personalidade das diferenças individuais e da psicologia evolutiva.

In Brazil, there are no investigations into the psychological and sociodemographic correlates of greed. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between greed and human values. In addition, we tested the mediating effect of greed on gender differences in the endorsement of values. Participants answered the Dispositional Greed Scale, Basic Values Survey and demographic questions. The value correlates indicated that greed people, although materially motivated (existence values), express higher-order needs of aesthetics (suprapersonal values). However, greed personality was a more important predictor of the personal values. There were differences between the sexes only regarding greed and personal values, in which men had higher scores. Finally, the greed partially mediated the gender difference in the endorsement of personal values which suggests that men have an egocentric orientation because are greedier. The results are discussed taking into account the Functional Theory of Human Values, personality of individual differences and evolutionary psychology.

En Brasil, no hay investigaciones sobre los correlatos psicológicos y sociodemográficos de la codicia. Este estudio investigó la relación entre la codicia y los valores humanos. Además, probamos el efecto mediador de la codicia sobre las diferencias de género en lo respaldo de los valores. Los participantes respondieron la Escala de Codicia Disposicional, el Cuestionario de ValoresBásicos y preguntas demográficas. Los correlatos valorativos indicaron que los codiciosos, aunque motivados materialmente (valores de existencia), tienen necesidades estéticas (valores suprapersonales). Sin embargo, la codicia mostró un poder predictivo más fuerte frente a los valores personales. Las diferencias entre los sexos se observaron solo en lo que respecta a la codicia y los valores personales: los hombres tenían puntuaciones más altas. Además, la codicia medió parcialmente la diferencia entre sexos en el respaldo de valores personales, lo que sugiere que los hombres tienen una orientación más egocéntrica porque son más codiciosos. Los resultados se discuten a través de la Teoría Funcionalista de los Valores, la personalidad de las diferencias individuales y la psicología evolutiva.

Isokinetic ankle muscle strength is reduced in recreational runners with medial tibial stress syndrome and is not associated with pain

Abstract Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the strength and ratios of the plantar flexors and ankle dorsiflexors in recreational runners with medial tibial stress syndrome and to assess the association between muscle strength and the level of pain in this population. Methods: Two groups (control and medial tibial stress syndrome) of eighteen runners each participated in this cross-sectional study. Isokinetic dynamometry was used to evaluate muscle strength, and for the analysis, the normalized isokinetic peak torque controlled by gender was used. Results: The medial tibial stress syndrome group showed lower normalized isokinetic peak torque in the dorsiflexors in the concentric (p = 0.008) eccentric (p = 0.011) contraction, as well as a lower plantar flexor, normalized isokinetic peak torque in the concentric (p = 0.001) and eccentric (p = 0.02) when compared to the control group. However, there was no difference in the normalized isokinetic peak torque ratio representative of the stance (p = 0.62) and swing phase (p = 0.16), and the level of pain was not correlated with the strength concentric (p = 0.32) and eccentric (p = 0.621) of plantar flexors, nor to the concentric (p = 0.21) and eccentric of dorsiflexors (p = 0.54). Conclusion: Recreational runners with MTSS showed decreased muscle strength in the sagittal plane of the ankle, no correlation with the level of pain, and no changing the ratio between plantar flexors and dorsiflexors.

Who prioritizes the economy over health? The role of political orientation and human values.

One of the main challenges governments faced during the Covid-19 pandemic was to balance economic considerations with protecting the health of people (i.e., economic vs humanitarian motives). In the present study (N = 296), we investigated whether human values, political orientation, and fear of Covid-19 predicted economic and humanitarian motives. We found that people holding self-enhancement and normative values, had lower levels of Covid-19 fear, and were more right-leaning in terms of their political orientation, tended to prioritize the economy. In contrast, people valuing normative values less, interactive values more, reported higher levels of Covid-19 related fear, and were more left-leaning, tended to prioritize the health of people. Importantly, values explained variance above and beyond political orientation and fear of Covid-19. Together, our findings highlight the importance of values in decision making.

Low and High Frequency Vibration Perception Thresholds Can Improve the Diagnosis of Diabetic Neuropathy.

Recent studies demonstrate neuropathic changes with respect to vibration sensitivity for different measurement frequencies. This study investigates the relationship between vibration perception thresholds (VPTs) at low and high frequencies at two plantar locations and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) severity in diabetes mellitus (DM) subjects with DPN. We examine differences of VPTs between participants with DM, with DPN, as well as healthy controls. The influence of anthropometric, demographic parameters, and DM duration on VPTs is studied. Thirty-three healthy control group subjects (CG: 56.3 ± 9.9 years) and 33 with DM are studied. DM participants are subdivided into DM group (DM without DPN, n = 20, 53.3 ± 15.1 years), and DPN group (DM with DPN, n = 13, 61.0 ± 14.5 years). VPTs are measured at the first metatarsal head (MTH1) and heel (30 Hz, 200 Hz), using a customized vibration exciter. Spearman and Pearson correlations are used to identify relationships between VPTs and clinical parameters. ANOVAs are calculated to compare VPTs among groups. Significant correlations are observed between DPN severity (by fuzzy scores) and VPTs at both locations and frequencies (MTH1_30 Hz vs. fuzzy: r = 0.68, p = 0.011; Heel_30 Hz vs. fuzzy: r = 0.66, p = 0.014; MTH1_200 Hz vs. fuzzy: r = 0.73, p = 0.005; Heel_200 Hz vs. fuzzy: r = 0.60, p = 0.032). VPTs in CG and DM groups are significantly smaller than the DPN group, showing higher contrasts for the 30 Hz compared to the 200 Hz measurement. The correlations between fuzzy scores and VPTs confirm the relevance of using low and high frequencies to assess a comprehensive foot sensitivity status in people with DM.